ABA Therapy Provider Interview Checklist

Use this to choose the right ABA therapy company for your child

You are not interviewing to be accepted.
You are interviewing to decide if this provider is the right fit.

🧩 Basic Information

☐ Company name
☐ Primary contact person
☐ Service setting (home / clinic / school / hybrid)
☐ Areas served
☐ Insurance accepted
☐ Estimated start timeline

👩‍⚕️ Clinical Team & Supervision

☐ Who will be the supervising BCBA?
☐ How often will the BCBA be directly involved?
☐ Who will provide day-to-day therapy (RBT)?
☐ How many cases does the BCBA supervise?
☐ What is the supervision model for therapists?

Red flag: You can’t clearly identify who is clinically responsible.

🎯 Clinical Approach & Treatment Planning

☐ How are therapy hours determined?
☐ How are goals selected and prioritized?
☐ How often are goals reviewed and updated?
☐ How is progress measured and shared?
☐ How do you individualize treatment for each child?

Listen for clear explanations, not just numbers.

📊 Progress & Data

☐ How will progress be communicated to parents?
☐ How often will we receive updates or reports?
☐ What happens if progress stalls?
☐ How do you adjust goals when something isn’t working?

Progress should be explainable—not vague.

🗣️ Parent Communication

☐ Who is our main point of contact?
☐ How do we raise concerns or questions?
☐ What is the expected response time?
☐ How involved are parents expected to be?

You should never feel like you’re chasing information.

🔄 Staffing & Continuity

☐ What happens if a therapist leaves?
☐ How are transitions handled for the child?
☐ How do you ensure continuity of care?
☐ How often does staff turnover occur?

Turnover happens. Planning matters.

🧠 Child-Centered Care

☐ How do you incorporate my child’s strengths and interests?
☐ How do you address communication, regulation, and independence?
☐ How do you balance skill-building with emotional well-being?
☐ How do you respect family culture and routines?

Your child is not a checklist.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

☐ One-size-fits-all answers
☐ Focus only on hours, not goals
☐ Minimal BCBA involvement
☐ Poor communication or vague responses
☐ Dismissive attitude toward parent concerns

If multiple red flags appear, pause.

✅ Green Flags to Look For

☐ Clear explanations
☐ Willingness to answer questions
☐ Respect for your child and family
☐ Thoughtful discussion of goals and progress
☐ Transparency about limits and challenges

🧭 Your Gut Check (Important)

After the conversation, ask yourself:

☐ Do I feel heard and respected?
☐ Do I understand how they would help my child?
☐ Do I trust this team to communicate honestly?
☐ Does this feel like a partnership—not a transaction?

If the answer is mostly “yes,” that matters.

⭐ Final Reminder

You do not need to:

• Commit immediately
• Accept poor communication
• Stay with a provider that isn’t working

You are arranging medically necessary care for your child.

That gives you the right to ask questions—and expect clear answers.